Pepper the pygmy goat had such an amazing soul. She came to the sanctuary malnourished and keeping her baby alive even at her own detriment. She came from a situation where a breeder and show goat home got in over their head and generally had goats dying at only half their lifespan of five years instead of ten. Pepper would've been just over that age range and was likely headed toward an early death herself. We always know in rescue that previous care plays a role in their over all lifespan but Pepper was a fighter and quickly recovered all the while taking good care of her baby Pebbles!
She lived for her little girl Pebbles and so the sanctuary ensured they got to live out their lives together, never to worry that her baby girl would be ripped away. Which is exactly how she lived her life for the last couple of years. Pepper also came in with another friend who is living at the sanctuary and would curl up together as family to sleep at night. She was outgoing and friendly and for the majority of her time was the matriarch for the herd, no matter her short stature. Within the last year of her time at the sanctuary she was slowly passing her matriarch position to her fellow friend Rem who took over running the herd and keeping everyone in line, giving Pepper the time to dote on friendship, volunteer attention, daily loving and of course lots of food! Pepper still made sure it was known that she was a close second of the herd and that if Rem needed back up or the kiddos needed to simmer down she'd be right there to give a good bahhhh at the girls and keep them in line. She was a great mama and amazing herd mate to everyone. Pepper was a very mannered lady, she would stand by your side awaiting her expected pets instead of jumping on you and knew her worth to be pampered. She was an immense pleasure to have at the sanctuary and we are so thankful so many volunteers got to show her love. She never complained a day in her life, and lived happily every single day! She didn't have a slow or long decline, instead it was rapid and sudden. Pepper was fine one moment and then down in the pasture the next, she was rushed to the vet and hospitalized where we ensured she was in no pain or discomfort and the vets took amazing care of her. She seemed to have lost control of her body with half paralysis and inability to walk suddenly and blindness in one side. We continued her hospitalization in hopes that treatment may be effective against any persistent or unknown infection but ultimately when no treatment was showing any effect we spent the evening at the vet with her and through much discussion it was best for Pepper to let her pass peacefully. Pepper greeted us vocally when we arrived and lifted her head to reassure us, she even wagged her tail during pets and cuddles. It made the decision so much harder but we always have to put their lives first and make decisions solely on what's best for them. A necropsy later showed that she had a brain stem and cerebellum abscess so large that they were surprised she'd lived as long as she had and held out to say goodbye and was as aware as she was. She truly showed us what a little fighter and miracle she was, her passing was peaceful and she never showed fear or any pain, she simply fell asleep in our arms wagging her little tail. She reminds us why we have the sanctuary, the lives we can help not just extend but have a happy end filled with sweet memories, help them wag their tails all the way through life and even pass with dignity and pain free. I only hope her spirit is still sometimes running the sanctuary and checking in with us, visiting me.
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